Chhattisgarh: Natural Resources | Chhattisgarh State PSC (CGPSC) Preparation: All subjects - CGPSC (Chhattisgarh) PDF Download

Natural Resources of Chhattisgarh

Natural resources are materials that occur in nature and are valuable for human use. Let's delve into the natural resources of Chhattisgarh:

• Water: Water is vital for agriculture, industry, and domestic use. It sustains life and is essential for various activities.
• Minerals: Minerals like iron ore, bauxite, and coal are abundant in Chhattisgarh, contributing significantly to its economy.
• Forests: The state's forests are home to diverse flora and fauna, providing ecological balance and resources for industries like timber and medicinal plants.

Water

• Water is crucial for Chhattisgarh, with 80% of the population relying on agriculture.
• The state has around 51,200 Mcum of surface water available after considering various agreements.
• Approximately 41,720 Mcum of water can be utilized after accounting for practicality and requirements like irrigation, drinking water, and industrial use.
• Chhattisgarh also possesses an estimated 13,678 Mcum of dynamic groundwater resources.
• The Chhattisgarh Irrigation Development Project aims to enhance water resource management and promote sustainable agriculture through various schemes and improvements.
• Chhattisgarh currently holds approximately 7,810 Mcum of storage capacity, with plans to increase it to 16,200 Mcum by the year 2020. 
• To achieve this, a proposal for constructing 595 anicuts across various rivers in the state has been drafted, estimating a cost of Rs. 1,657 crores. These initiatives aim to boost the groundwater potential significantly.

Mineral Wealth

Chhattisgarh ranks among the leading states in India in terms of mineral resources. The state boasts abundant reserves ranging from iron ore to coal, along with various metallic and non-metallic resources.
Notable minerals where Chhattisgarh excels include:

• Iron Ore
• Bauxite

Forests and Biodiversity

Approximately half of Chhattisgarh's land area is covered by forests, characterized by rich biodiversity. Timber extraction contributes around 40% of the total forest revenue, with the remainder sourced from Non-Wood Forest Products (NWFP).
The state is home to three national parks:

• Guru Ghasidas National Park in Koriya, Sarguja
• Kanger Valley National Park in Bastar
• Indrawati National Park in Dantewara

Moreover, there are 11 wildlife sanctuaries in the region. The forests support nearly 10,000 industrial units by providing raw materials for their operations.

Overview of Natural Wealth in the State

• The region boasts abundant Non-Wood Forest Produce (NWFP) such as Tendu Leaves, Harra, Sal Seed, Gum, Mahua, Amla, Achar, Lac, Chironji, and numerous medicinal plants.
• The state possesses the potential to accommodate various Herbal, Medicinal, and Aromatic plant-based industries. This potential is estimated to be around Rs. 500 Crore in NWFP trade.